From Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D.,
Your Guide to Multiple Sclerosis.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

I have had reflexology treatments in various settings and have always felt relaxed and refreshed for some time afterwards, which is always a great benefit, especially if you have multiple sclerosis. I have never asked the reflexologist to address a specific multiple sclerosis symptom, so I can’t report on that. I should warn that when I have had more severe tingling and numbness in my feet from the MS, the foot massages that I received during pedicures (or from my husband) felt a little strange and vaguely unpleasant, but that might just be me. If you want to try reflexology and are experiencing these types of sensory symptoms, mention them to the therapist and he or she may be able to adjust their techniques to make the experience better.

Reflexology is ideal if you want to try a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach that is safe with very few side effects and enjoy a nice, long foot massage. It has also been shown to have a positive influence on certain MS symptoms (see "How Effective is it for MS?" below).

What is it?

Reflexology is a therapeutic technique from traditional Chinese medicine in which pressure is applied to the feet (and sometimes hands) without using oils or creams.

How is it Supposed to Work?

Reflexology is based on the theory that all of the body’s organs, glands and systems have corresponding points on the feet and hands, and that stimulating these points can increase circulation of blood and energy to improve the function of the body and increase health.

What Happens During a Treatment?

The basic sequence of events is pretty much the same everywhere:

• Before getting started, you will be asked to fill out a form describing different health problems and symptoms that you may have (make sure that you communicate that you have MS).
• A bowl with warm water (often with some marbles in the bottom and some fragrant oils added) is placed in front of you while you are seated for you to soak your feet in for a couple of minutes.
• The reflexologist will then dry your feet and you will either lie down on a massage table or recline in a comfortable chair with the reflexologist seated at your feet.
• She will work on one foot at a time, combining different techniques of stroking, “crawling” and pressure with her fingers on different parts of your foot, concentrating on areas corresponding to problems that you have reported or where she senses issues that need to be addressed.
• The process will be repeated for the other foot. The foot that she is not working on will be kept covered.
• She may use some of the techniques on your hands, as well.

Usually in a reflexology treatment, you leave your clothes on, unless you receive your treatment in a spa where you may be encouraged to wear a robe. A reflexology treatment usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes.

What Does it Feel Like?

For the most part, reflexology feels like a foot massage. There may be points in the treatment where it is slightly uncomfortable as pressure is applied to specific points (I was told that the discomfort was due to the “stuck chi” in the corresponding organ). However, it should never be painful. Overall, it is an incredibly relaxing experience. Many people either fall asleep or enter a state of total tranquility that one practitioner referred to as “the zone.”

How Effective is it for MS?

There have been a couple of small studies conducted on the use of reflexology to alleviate some of the symptoms of MS, which show benefits. The largest study, a randomized control trial involving 53 participants with MS, showed significant improvement in sensory symptoms, urinary symptoms and spasticity. The study participants had 11 weekly 45-minute sessions (or sham sessions with calf massages as the placebo). The improvement in sensory symptoms in the reflexology recipients remained significant three months after the final treatment.

Whether or not one ascribes to Chinese traditional medical theories, reflexology results in deep relaxation and stress reduction. As such, physiological changes take place in the body that lead to a feeling of well-being during the treatment and for some amount of time after the treatment.

How Much Does it Cost?

While this is widely variable, the guideline of 75 cents to 1.25 dollars per minute of treatment seems to cover most reflexology sessions.

Are There any Risks?

Pregnant women should not get reflexology treatment, as certain manipulations of the feet are said to cause contractions, which could lead to premature labor (there is much debate about this, but I would always err on the side of caution when pregnant). Also, people with the following health issues should approach reflexology with caution:

• Foot problems
• Gout
• Arthritis
• Vascular conditions, such as varicose veins

Additional Tips

• Finding a Reflexologist: This presents a slight problem, as there seems to be no centralized listing of reflexologists, as many of them are self-taught and don’t belong to professional organizations. You can try the following in your search: ask people for recommendations, call your local chapter of the National MS Society, investigate services offered at a reputable spa or wellness center or do some Internet searching. You can visit the websites of the Reflexology Association of America or the International Institute of Reflexology, both of which have limited listings of reflexologists and are rather hard to use, so it may be easier to call the organizations on the phone.
• Checking Credentials: The laws about required licensing for reflexology vary by state. In some states, reflexology falls under massage laws, in others, under cosmetology laws. Still others have no laws regulating reflexologists. If you are interested in the laws in your area, visit this website.

  _Sources:

  I Siev-Ner, D Gamus, L Lerner-Geva, A Achiron. Reflexology treatment relieves symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study. Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 9, No. 4, 356-361 (2003).